Salisbury Symphony asks 'Why not play?'

David Hagy and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra ask you, "Why not play?" when they present the family concert at 4 p.m. April 14 in Varick Auditorium on the Livingstone College campus.

David Hagy and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra ask you, "Why not play?" when they present the family concert at 4 p.m. April 14 in Varick Auditorium on the Livingstone College campus. And, in a program that offers music written by and performed by young people, they suggest that there are many reasons to begin early. The Symphony Society is offering reduced ticket prices to encourage families to attend. Ticket information is available at salisburysymphony.org and at (704) 637-4314.The concert begins with "Video Games Live" with themes from video games such as Halo, Civilization IV, Advent Rising and Kingdom Hearts. Three pieces follow, each written by a young composer: Dmitri Shostakovich at age 13, Edward Elgar at age 10, and David Hagy at age 16. When performing Dr. Hagy's "A Big Brother," the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Salisbury Super Strings. This group of young musicians range in age from 11 to 17 and most are "graduates" of the Symphony's After-School Strings program. Four Suzuki selections follow, performed by all of the After-School Strings students, including the Suzuki class of students ages 4-7 — 75 young musicians in all. Speaking of "young musicians," Dustin Wilkes-Kim returns as the soloist for a performance of Serge Prokofiev's Concerto No. 1 for violin and orchestra in D major. Wilkes-Kim first performed with the Salisbury Symphony four years ago at the age of 12 and was impressive. Now a junior at the UNC School of the Arts, he has raised over $8,100 giving benefit concerts for worthy causes. Wilkes-Kim is sponsored by Gordon and Carolyn Hurley and Patsy Rendleman.The Rowan County Fifth Grade Honors Chorus is always the highlight of the seasons' family concerts. This year the 150 performers will offer a patriotic salute arranged by nationally-known composer Sally Albrecht, featuring familiar patriotic melodies, kazoos, choreography, and "You Raise Me Up," by Josh Groban, dedicated to the parents and teachers who support young musicians. The energetic and energizing concert ends with a most famous young composer, Mozart, and a movement from his Symphony No. 8 in D major, composed at the age of 12. Lois Pruehsner, concert sponsor, has made this tribute to early arts education possible.Concert tickets may be purchased in advance at any of the symphony's ticket outlets — Belk, Visitors Center or Sidewalk Deli in Salisbury, Crescent Pharmacy (Rockwell), Green Goat Gallery (Spencer) or Silver Showcase (Landis) –— through PayPal by visiting the symphony's website – www.salisburysymphony.org -- or by calling the symphony office . The box office will open an hour before the performance begins.

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